News: Power Share Fallout...and more

Power Share Fallout
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says talks with President Mugabe have failed to produce agreement on cabinet posts. MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa accused Mr Mugabe of demanding all the key ministries for his Zanu-PF party in the new unity government. He was speaking after a meeting between MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and the Zimbabwean President. A power-sharing deal was signed two weeks ago to end the political crisis. Mr Chamisa said the opposition and Mr Mugabe remained far apart on the issue of who should control which ministries.


Preparing for Voting ahead U.S.Elections
Early voting is getting under way in the US battleground state of Ohio, five weeks exactly before the 4 November presidential election. It comes a day after Ohio courts ruled that new voters could register and cast an absentee ballot on the same day. Republicans, who argue same-day voting opens the door to voter fraud, opposed the measure; Democrats backed it. Both John McCain and Barack Obama have been campaigning hard in Ohio, seen as a key swing state. John McCain, accompanied by running mate Sarah Palin, used a rally in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday to attack his Democratic rival over his economic policies. Mrs Palin, Republican governor of Alaska, is preparing for the vice-presidential debate scheduled for Thursday night, in which she and Democrat Joe Biden will face each other for the first time.
She has come under increasing pressure after a series of TV interviews which critics say have exposed her lack of readiness for the role.


UK Confirms economic Depression
The UK economy saw no growth in the second quarter of 2008, while the gap in the current account widened to its highest level in almost a year. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed economic output remained the same as in the first quarter, confirming previous estimates. Growth was 0% in the second quarter - which was even lower than the 0.3% figure for the first quarter of 2008. Some analysts think the Bank of England may cut interest rates as a result. Output was revised up to 1.5% from a previous estimate of 1.4% year-on-year. The new data takes into account improved methodology and was revised back to 1961. This adds £19.5bn to the 2007 gross domestic product (GDP) figures.